(A/N: During the flashbacks, if you want to add a sad atmosphere, put on the "Sadness and Sorrow" soundtrack.)

Sasuke had found new teammates during his quest.

Karin, Suigetsu, and Jugo.

Karin was a subordinate of Orochimaru, and Jugo was a test subject who was being held at Orochimaru's Northern hideout, while Suigetsu was captured by him.

Although Sasuke didn't care about either of them, he had spotted potential in their jutsu's.

Karin, who had unique but impressive sensory abilities, and could target anyone's chakra nature. Jugo, who could absorb natural energy and undergo various physical alterations, and Suigetsu, with his ability to use Water Release, not to mention him being a prodigy when it came to the art of murder.

He had found them useful, and wanted them to help him during his quest. Soon, he would create a team named Team Hebi, with their one and only mission; to kill Uchiha Itachi.

He had to admit, he barely held any care for any of them. His heart was too full of hatred to ever care for anyone anymore.

He didn't care anymore. He didn't feel anything anymore.

The only thing he felt was hate.

There was no room for remorse, no room to feel guilty over all the blood he had spilled in the process.

He didn't even want to remember his old life. His memories in Kohona.

But…he found himself missing Kohona at times.

His mind was slipping. He needed to get a grip.

The other members of Team Hebi were quite annoying. Especially Karin.

Karin was like Sakura when he was younger. Everywhere he went, he saw red. Blazing red, crimson hair. He'd see red in the morning, red in the afternoon, and red in the night.

It was like the world wanted him to be surrounded with red.

Not to mention how Suigetsu and Karin would argue over the tiniest things all the time. It was like with Naruto and Sakura. He was re-living the eternal nightmares again.

The only decent person on his team was Jugo. He was gentle and kind, but on the inside was a bloodthirsty monster. Almost like…Kakashi, a bit. No, no, scratch that.

Although he hated admitting it, he missed seeing the soft and sweet colour of pink follow him around. And, he couldn't believe he was saying this, but he missed his perverted, silver-haired teacher, and that blond loser named Naruto.

A little, tiny, miniscule part of his heart missed his old team. This new team was like his old team, but it just wasn't the same. There were no losers on this new team, and no sweetness. So why?

Why was he feeling these things? Why was he feeling regret?

Was he losing it?

He had chosen to be here. He had chosen to leave everyone and everything behind. He had become an avenger by his free will. Avengers held nothing but hate, and a cold heart. Now that he was an avenger, that meant he had to be cold-hearted.

…Right?

What had Sakura said that day?

~Flashback~

"Revenge…that won't bring anyone happiness…no one…even you…nor I…" Sakura had trailed off.

"As I expected…" Sasuke smirked. "I'm different from you guys…I'm walking a road that's incompatible next to the rest of you. The four of us worked together, and it's true that there was a time when I thought that was my road. The four of us have worked together, but in the end, I decided on revenge…

…That's been my reason for living. I can't become like you or Naruto."

"Are you going to isolate yourself again, Sasuke?!" She sobbed, visible trembling in her voice. "You taught me that solitude is a very rough thing that time, Sasuke! Now I know exactly how it feels. I have both family and friends…but, if you were no longer here, Sasuke…for me…for me, it would be the same as solitude."

She was shaking now, uncontrollable tears rapidly flowing down her cheeks.

"From here again, we're going to start walking our paths individually." He said firmly, but in a soft voice.

"I..!" Sakura started.

~End of flashback~

She didn't know what she had done, carving those words into Sasuke's heart and mind.

She didn't know that he would be reminiscing over it, years later.

How could one girl's words affect him so much? How…and why?

Sasuke lay down, and felt the grass tickle his skin. He looked up and observed the starry, night sky.

This is all her fault, Sasuke thought. She's the only reason he's feeling regret. She's in the way of his goals.

She needed to be removed from the picture. He couldn't afford distractions.

She needed to be killed.

Sasuke smiled, but it was one filled with cruelty and hate.

When I see you again, Sakura, Sasuke thought, I'll put you in a better place.

And with that final thought, Sasuke closed his eyes, another night of his quest for revenge passing by.

.

.

.

In his dreams, Sasuke was still a genin. He looked around, seeing nothing but white. When he looked down, it was like he was standing on an invisible platform.

Where am I?

"Sasuke!" A familiar voice called out from behind him.

That voice…Sasuke whipped around. It can't be…

There, he saw the current Naruto, with his ragged, old, and dirty, orange and black jacket.

One moment, Naruto was smiling, but then the next moment, he transformed into a hideous, orange-blazing, monster. His aura dark, and his physical form had gone ragged. His hair was pointed, his cheek lines had become scribbled, and his eyes were orange slits. His teeth had gotten pointier, and his hands had turned into ferocious claws.

The Kyuubi. This must be Naruto's Kyuubi form – the one he couldn't suppress.

Sasuke had seen this years ago, during training. All of a sudden, the Kyuubi-Naruto charged at him, his claws and fangs slashing.

Sasuke, defenseless, covered his face, terrified, and braced for the pain.

Then, the whole room spun, and the scene had changed. He was in third person.

Looking at the scene in front of him, he saw that it was night, and he was about to leave the village, but Sakura was trying to stop him. Looking down, he saw he was transformed into his current form.

No…not this! Sasuke tried to say, but it seemed he couldn't speak.

Sakura was shaking, her uncontrollable tears flowing rapidly down her cheeks.

"From here again, we're going to start walking our paths individually." His past self said firmly, but in a soft voice.

"I..!" Sakura started. "I love you so very, very much, Sasuke!

Then, the genin Sakura faced him, a big smile on her face, with tears still rolling down her face.

.

.

.

Sasuke gasped, and immediately sat straight up. He looked up, and saw the starry night sky above him, still there to welcome his presence.

A dream…?

His eyebrows furrowed when he realized there was sweat going down his face.

"I love you so very, very much, Sasuke!"

Sasuke's eyes widened, and he turned around, his heart beating against his ribcage. There, he saw Sakura, but her figure was illuminated in the moonlight. Her pink hair was flowing in the wind, and there was a visible sparkle in her jade eyes. She was transparent, almost as if she were a ghost.

Sasuke blinked.

When he opened his eyes again, Sakura was nowhere to be seen.

He sighed, sure that he was losing it.

Once again, his onyx eyes bored into the night sky.

Love…?

I lost the feeling of love a long time ago.

So then, what are these emotions that I'm feeling right now?

Sakura…what have you done to me?

(A/N: Wowie, that was a fun chapter to write! I'm sorry that this story is progressing so slowly. But please remember to review, and tell me what you think!)